Splash aitachment



c. J. WOOD SPLASH ATTACHMENT Fild March 2a. 1957 Oct. 27, 1959 lNVENTOR' %mj%v, Y

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United States Patent Ofl'ice 2,910,098 Patented Oct. 27, 1959 SPLASH ATTACHlVIENT Charles J. Wood, Evergreen Park, Ill., assignor to Superior Rubber Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 26, 1957, Serial No. 648,622

1 Claim. (Cl. 141285) This invention relates to a splash attachment, and more particularly to an attachment for a nozzle where the nozzle is employed to introduce liquid into a container.

The attachment of my invention has utility in inhibiting the splash or recoil of liquid that frequently occurs when a smallanouthed container is being filled from a dispensing spout. When an automobile gasoline tank is being filled, it is not unusual for an undesirable splash or recoil of gasoline to take place. This is objectionable to the automobile owner, who ordinarily must pay for all gasoline that he has not received. It is embarrassing to the gasoline station operator. The splashed gasoline might also fall on the operator and make him uncomfortable through the wetting of his clothes. More seriously, it constitutes a hazard because of its highly inflammable nature.

It is an object of my invention to provide a splash attachment for a dispensing spout that substantially minimizes recoil splashing of liquid discharged through the spout. Another object is to provide an attachmentequipped spout that confines any splashed liquid. Still another object is to provide an attachment-equipped nozzle which substantially prevents recoil splashing from a container being filled by said nozzle while still permitting air to exit from the container as it is being filled. Another object is to provide an attachment-equipped nozzle for filling containers with liquid wherein any backup, overflow or recoil type of splash of liquid is directed laterally of the nozzle. Yet another object is to provide an attachment-equipped nozzle for filling a container having a small inlet mouth wherein any back-up, overflow, or recoil type splash of liquid is deflected laterally and then forwardly of the nozzle. Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described immediately above in which the attachment provides a confining chamber for any returning liquid. Other objects and advantages of my invention will be seen as this specification proceeds.

My invention will be explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a splash attachment mounted on a gasoline pump hose nozzle; and Fig. 2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the nozzle and attachment portion of Fig. 1 shown in operating environment, and Fig. 3 is an end view looking into the nozzle.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral generally designates a hose and nozzle portion of a gasoline pump. The numeral 11 refers to the hose portion of a gasoline pump, and the numeral 12 generally refers to the dispensing nozzle or spout. Spout 12 is seen to be equipped with a lever 13 which operates a valve provided internally of the nozzle and which permits discharge of gasoline through nozzle 12 and out of the discharge end 14 thereof. Mounted on the tubular portion 15 of nozzle 12 is fitting or attachment generally designated 16.

Attachment 16 is seen to include generally a cupshaped body with the mouth of the cup facing the same direction as the outlet 14 of nozzle 12.

Referring now to Fig. 2, attachment 16 is shown in cross section and is seen to include a collar or annular portion 17, which is press-fitted against the tubular portion 15 of nozzle 12. The end of collar 17 which is adjacent the discharge end 14 of nozzle 12 is provided with a series of serrations or notches 18. Integral with collar 17 and extending outwardly and forwardly therefrom is a skirt portion 19 which is provided with a rolled edge or lip 20. The tubular portion 15 of nozzle 12 is shown inserted into the gasoline-receiving inlet of an automobile which is designated by the numeral 21. In Fig. 2, the portion of collar 17 which extends inwardly of the cup-shaped element 16 is a boss-like protrusion and is seated against the lip of receiving inlet tube 21.

When theattachment described is employed in conjunction with a gasoline pump and hose apparatus, I have found it convenient to construct the attachment of a flexible material. This avoids scratching the finish on automobile bodies around the fuel tank fill pipe where the rolled edge 20 abuts the automobile body. Where, however, the surface against which rolled edge 20 abuts is not subject to scratching, it might be desirable to provide attachment 16 of a more rigid material.

In some instances, it is desirable to use a transparent or translucent material for constructing attachment 16.

. This would permit visual observation of the degree of filling of a container and also the amount of fluid that has recoiled during the filling and which is confined by skirt 19.

In operation, when nozzle 12 is inserted into the fuel tank fill pipe of an automobile such as is shown in Fig. 2, the forward edge of collar member 17 is brought into abutting relation with the outer lip of the fill pipe 21. As gasoline enters the tank, the air that is displaced can readily exit through notches 18 which act as laterally-extending passageways. When a point in the filling operation is reached where gasoline ordinarily would recoil, the attempted recoil is obstructed by the presence of the inner end of collar 17 which effectively closes a major portion of fill pipe 21 that is not occupied by nozzle 12. Should, however, any liquid escape the tank by passing laterally through notches 18, the same liquid will be confined against further lateral movement by impinging against the inner wall of skirt 19, Thereafter, it will roll or drop and be confined by the circular periphery of skirt 19 which is maintained in abutting relationship with an automobile body 22 by means of rolled edge 20.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom.

I claim:

For a gasoline pump delivery nozzle, a splash-inhibiting fitting comprising a resilient unitary cup-shaped body terminating in a lip and having an opening in the central bottom of said body, and a resilient tubular portion integral with said body about said opening extending both inwardly and outwardly of the central bottom of said body, the inner end of said tubular member terminating a spaced distance inwardly of the lip of said cup-shaped body to provide a generally boss-like, inwardly-extending protuberance, said tubular member being equipped with a plurality of generally rectangular-shaped cut-away portions circumferentially disposed about the inner end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

